Shade cutter



A. K. 'GAST f SHADE CUTTER Aug. 1o, 1943.

l Filed Oct. y2,V 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet l Aug. l0, 1943. A. K. caAs-r SHADE GUTTER Filed om..L 2, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 L@ U w fj A. K. GAST SHADE CUTTER Filed Oct. 2, 1941 Aug. 10,1943.

Sheets-Sheet 5 uunlllllllli m MNN i. QNN

AWA mmw A l Bmx Il @Sw i. Sw f Patented Aug. 10, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SHADE CUTTER Albert K. Gast, St. Joseph, Mich.

Application October 2, 1941, Serial No. 413,323

13 Claims.

This invention relates to a shade cutting machine, and more particularly to a machine of the general type disclosed in my Patent No. 1,964,984 and providing in a single, simple and easily operated device for cutting off a portion of the width of Window shades to adapt the shade to windows of different sizes and for completely reassembling the shade with the end cap and end pin in place on the shortened pole and the shade material, the pole and the slat all cut to desired correct width or length.

A primary object of the present invention is to provide an improved construction and arrangement of parts in such shade cutting and trimming machines.

A further object is the provision of a complete, improved shade cutting machine that is of very simple and light-weight construction and which provides for the several cutting and resetting operations in a more ready and convenient manner.

A further object is the provision of an improved measuring slide and adjustable end bracket construction for shade cutting machines.

Another object is the provision of a new and improved supporting structure for the cutting device and the saw-guide, and having new and improved means for releasably locking the sawguide in predetermined position.

A further object is the provision of a new and improved knife guard for the cutting device and having means for automatically moving the guard to an out-of-the-way position during a cutting operation.

A further object is the provision of means for chamfering the cut end of the shortened pole to facilitate placing the end cap thereon, and further providing for positioning the chamfering means on the knife and saw-guide supporting structure.

A further object is the provision of an improved =pivoted bracket structure having the three-fold function of operating as a support for the shade cutting device, a saw-guide, and a support for a chamfering device.

A still further object is the provision of improved and simplified mechanism for withdrawing and resetting the pole pin and for supporting-the end of the pole during the withdrawing and resetting operations.

Still another object is the provision of an improved shade cutting machine providing for properly supporting and cutting an unmounted shade.

These and other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description, the appended claims, and the accompanying drawings which illsutrate a selected embodiment of the invention, and in which:

Fig. l is a side elevational View of the improved shade cutting machine;

Fig. 2 is a top plan View of the machine shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a detail sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is an end view of the machine showing the parts in one operative position;

Fig. 5 is a similar end view showing the parts in a second operative position;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary detail View showing certain of the parts of Figs. 4 and 5 in still a third operative position;

Fig. '7 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional View taken on the line 1-1 of Fig. 5; and

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 8 8 of Fig. '7.

Referring to the drawings and more particularly to Figs. 1 and 7, the machine is shown as comprising a frame I0 which extends vertically upwardly from a relatively thin base or seat II and is of a generally open and light-weight construction. The frame I0 is provided with a pair of upwardly extending arms or brackets I2 and I3 and with a forwardly extending arm or bracket I4. A leg I5 extends downwardly from the arm or bracket I4 and provides a support for the frame at the forward end of the machine. Stiifening ribs I6, I'l, I8 and I9 are provided on the frame I0 and serve to reinforce and stiifen the frame to provide a relatively light-weight and yet rigid supporting structure for the shade cutting machine.

The arm or bracket I2 provides a support for revolubly mounting an adjustable shade holder or chuck 25. The chuck 25 is rotatably received within a suitable bearing 26 provided on the upstanding bracket arm I2. The shade holder or chuck 25 may be of any suitable construction, such as that shown in the aforesaid Patent No. 1,964,984, and in general comprises a pair of clamping members 21 and 28 which are adjustable towards and away from the axis of the chuck by means of a thumb screw 29 and provide for gripping a shade and effecting rotation thereof upon rotation of the holder or chuck.

Rotation of the chuck 25 to cause rotation of a shade mounted therein is effected by means of a bevel pinion 35 which is attached to one end of the chuck and meshes with a large beveled gear 36. The gear 36 is rotatably mounted in a suitable bearing 31 carried by the upstanding arm or bracket I3, and is provided with a handle 38 for effecting rotation of the gear.

In accordance with the present invention an improved slide bracket 40 is provided for supporting one end of the shade during the several cutting, chamfering and resetting operations, and an improved slide 4| is provided for adjustably mounting the slide bracket 40 in proper position for the desired width of shade to be cut. As shown in Figs. l, 2, and 3, the slide 4| comprises a simple angle member 42 having its side plates 43 and 44 arranged in a substantially V- shaped position.

One end of the slide 4| is removably attached to the frame I0 by means of bolts 46 which extend through the plates 43 and 44, respectively, and also through a leg 41 of the bracket and an upstanding bracket arm 48, Fig. 2, provided on the base member The leg 41 and bracket arm 48 are suitably inclined, as indicated by the shading 49 in Fig. '1, to receive the V-shaped angle member 42. A clamping screw 50 which extends through the bracket leg 41 and the bracket arm 48 below the slide 4| may also be provided to draw the arm and leg into tight clamping engagement with the angle member.

rlhe opposite end of the slide 4| is supported by a pair of bracket members mounted on a base 56 and having angularly extending arms 51. The slide is attached to the bracket 55 by means of bolts 58 which extend through the respective plates 43 and 44 and the respective inclined arms 51. A clamping bolt 59 similar to the bolt 50 may be provided for drawing the bracket members 55 into tight clamping engagement with the angle member 42.

As best shown in Fig. 3, the bracket 40 comprises a pair of legs 6| and 62 which are joined together at their upper ends and extend downwardly and outwardly therefrom. The legs 6| and 62 are provided at their lower ends with inturned and downwardly inclined portions 63 and 64. Each of the portions 63 and 64 are provided with an inclined surface 65 shaped to fit over and slide along the outer sides of the slide plates 43 and 44. An inwardly extending lip 66 adapted to fit over and slide along the upper edges of the plates 43 and 44 is also provided on the end portions 63 and 64. The inclined surfaces 65 in cooperation with the lips 66 thus provide notched seats whch t over the upper ends of the V-shaped slide 4| and slidably mount the bracket 40 on the angle member 42.

The shape and resiliency of the legs 6| and 62 is such that these notched seats normally fit rather loosely upon the upper ends of the plates 43 and 44 so that the bracket can be readily slid along the length of the slide 4|. The bracket may be readily locked, however, in any adjusted position along the length of the slide by means of a clamping bolt 61 which extends through the legs 6| and 62 and is tightened by a turn nut 68 having an operating rod 69 extending therethrough. Upon tightening of the nut 68, the legs 6| and 62 are drawn together to securely clamp the notched ends of the bracket legs against the V-shaped slide 4|. When the nut 68 is loosened, the legs spring somewhat apart by their natural resiliency and permit a sliding fit between the bracket and the slide as above described.

The bracket 40 provides a support for a pin 15 which is mounted in the upper end of the bracket and fixed in position by a set screw 16. The pin 15 extends forwardly of the bracket in the direction of the shade holder or chuck 25 and at its forward end is provided with a socket or recess` 11 adapted to rotatably receive a pin 18 at the spring end of a shade pole. The pin 15 and socket 11 thus provides for rotatably supporting one end of a shade and pole thereof.

The bracket 40 also provides for rotatably supporting one end of an unmounted shade, and for this purpose a cellar having an outwardly extending circular flange 8| is rotatably mounted on the forwardly extending portion of the pin 15. The flange 8| has a width sufficient to receive one end of a rolled but unmounted shade. The end of the shade is supported on the flange 8| by means of a forwardly extending tapered portion 82 which is provided on the flange 0| and is adapted to extend into the hollow interior of the rolled shade.

A second collar 85 is mounted on the pin 15 at the rear side of the bracket 40 and provides a support for an arm 86 which extends outwardly and forwardly from the collar, as shown in Fig. 2. The collar 85 and arm 86 are rigidly mounted in position on the pin 15 by means of a set screw 81. The arm 86 is provided at its forward end with a pair of recessed sockets or seats 88 and 89 adapted to receive and support one end of a shade slat. As shown in Fig. 2, the socket or seat 68 is positioned forwardly of the seat 69, and a slat positioning pin 90 is adjustably mounted in the rear wall of the socket B8 by means of a set screw 9|. The purpose of the two sockets or seats B8 and 89 and the pin 90 will be hereinafter more fully described.

A lug is formed on the leg 62 of the bracket 40 adjacent the lower end of the leg and extends inwardly towards the leg 6|. A V-shaped slot or notch 96 is provided in the lug 95 and serves as a support for one end of a shade pole during the resetting oi the pin in the shortened end of the pole as will also be hereinafter more fully described. The clamping bolt 61 of the bracket extends through a suitable opening or bore provided in the lug 95.

The V-shaped slide 4| also serves as a support for a measuring scale |00 which extends along the inner surface of one of the plates of the angle member 42 and provides for determining the exact length to which it is desired to cut the shade. As shown in Fig. 2, the scale |00 is mounted on the inner face of the plate 44 and is attached to the plate by means of bolts |0|. A folyvardly extending lug |02 is provided on the leg 62 of bracket 40 and slides along the upper edge of the slide plate 44 upon adjustable movement of the bracket. The lug |02 carries a plurality of indexes which cooperate with the scale |00 to indicate desired adjusted positions of the bracket 40. These indexes, not shown, indicate the desired width for cutting the shade material, the length desired for the pole, and the length desired for the tip, in the manner more particularly shown in the aforesaid Patent No. 1,964,984. The index for length of pole, furthermore, also serves to indicate the setting of the bracket 40 when it is desired to trim an unmounted shade.

The knife for cutting or trimming the shade material comprises a circular blade |05 mounted on an arm |06 forming a part of a bracket structure indicated generally by the reference numera1 |01, Figs. 4 through 8. The bracket |01 is pivotally mounted by a bolt |08 to an arm |09 extending outwardly from the forwardly extending portion I4 of the frame member I0. 'I'he circular knife blade |05 is non-rotatably mounted in the arm |06 by a thumb screw ||0, but may be turned to present new cutting edges to the shade material by loosening the thumb screw I|0. The arm provides a guard for one side of the knife blade except at an arcuate opening I I I positioned to permit the blade to contact the shade material upon operation of the knife.

In accordance with the present invention, a supplemental guard means is provided to protect the operator from the portion of the cutting blade exposed through the arcuate opening III when the knife is in its inoperative position shown in Fig. 4. A means is also provided for automatically moving this supplemental guard to an outof-the-way or inoperative position when the knife is moved to its operative position shown in Fig. 5. Referring to Figs. 4 and 5, this supplemental guard means comprises a segmental shaped member whieh is pivoted on the axis IIE of the knife blade and extends outwardly beyond the cutting edge of the blade as indicated at ||1, in Fig. 4. The size and normal positioning of the supplemental guard ||5 is such that it covers the portion of the blade exposed through the arcuate opening III in the inoperative position of the knife as clearly indicated in Fig. 4. The guard ||5 is maintained in its protective position by means of a curved lever I I8 which is pivotally connected to the supplemental guard at IIS and extends through an opening provided in the frame rib |1, as best shown in Figs. 1 and '1. A o

spring I |9a surrounds the lever ||8 and operates between the rib I1 and a shoulder |20 on the lever te move the lever and the guard member |I5 to the protective position shown when the knife assumes the position of Fig. 4.

The lever ||8 also serves to move the supplemental knife guard ||5 to an inoperative or outof-the-way position with respect to the cutting portion of the knife when the bracket |01 is swung about its pivot |08 as indicated in Fig. 5 to move the blade into cutting relation with respect to a roll of shade material mounted on a shade pole |26. This operation of lever IIB is effected by means of a pair of nuts |28 which are threaded on the lower end of the lever IIB and are adapted to engage the under side of the frame rib I1, Figs. 1 and '1. Thus as the bracket frame |01 swings in a clockwise direction, Figs. 4 and 5, to effect a cutting or trimming operation, the lever ||8 causes its pivot point ||9 to move downwardly and swing the supplemental guard member ||5 about its axis I|6 into inoperative position, as shown in Fig. 5 When the bracket |01 is swung in a counter-clockwise direction, Figs. 4 and 5, to return the knife blade to its position of Fig. 4 after a cutting operation, the spring ||9a operating between the frame rib I1 and shoulders |20 as above described, causes the pivot point ||9 to move upwardly to again move the guard ||5 to its protective position of Fig. 4.

The bracket |01 also provides a means for receiving and guiding a saw during the operation of cutting off one end of the shade pole to shorten the length thereof. For this purpose the bracket comprises a pair of spaced, upstanding legs |3| and |32 having spaced arms |33 and |34 extending inwardly from the upper ends thereof. The legs |3| and |32 and the arms |33 and |34 thus provide a vertically extending slit or slot for receiving the blade of a saw and guiding the blade during a sawing operation.

During a sawing operation the bracket |01 and the saw guide provided thereby are adapted to be locked in the position illustrated in Fig. 4 of the drawings. In accordance with the present invention this locking means comprises a rod or plunger |40 which is carried by the bracket leg |3| and is adapted to have its lower end received within a slot or notch |4| provided in a bracket member |42 fixedly carried by the main frame I0 of the machine. The rod or plunger |40 extends upwardly along the length of the bracket leg |3| and is slidably mounted in suitable bearing lugs |43 and |44 provided in the upper and lower portions of the leg. A spring |45 surrounds the plunger |40 and is compressed between the bearing lug |43 and a pin |40 to normally urge the plunger into locking engagement with the notch |4|.

A means is provided for readily releasing the locking plunger |40 from the notch |4| when it is desired to move the bracket |01 about its pivot to effect a trimming or chamfering operation. and in the present invention this means is combined with a handle for effecting the desired movement of the bracket |01. As best shown in Figs. l and 7. the rod or plunger |40 extends upwardly beyond the top of the bearing lug |43 provided on the bracket leg |3|. A handle |50 is pivotally mounted on the lug |43 as indicated at |5| and is provided with a forwardly extending portion |52 having a slot |53, Fig. 2, adapted to receive the upwardly extending portion of the plunger |40 therein. A pin |54 extends through the plunger |40 above the portion |52 of the handle and is adapted to be engaged by this portion |52 to effect lifting of the plunger out of the notch |4| when the handle |50 is tilted downwardly about its pivot |5I. The handle |50 as above described, also serves as a convenient means for moving the bracket |01 about its pivot |08 when the plunger |40 has been released from locking engagement with the notch |4|.

The pivoted bracket |01 additionally serves as a means for chamfering the end of a out and shortened shade pole to facilitate the re-application of an end cap to the pole. For this purpose a plurality of chamfering teeth |00 are provided on the bracket leg |32 and are mounted in a position to engage the end of a shade pole |26 when the bracket is swung in a counter-clockwise direction from the position shown in Fig. 4 to the position shown in Fig. 6. Fig. 6 illustrates the teeth in engagement with a pole |25 and effecting the ehamfering operation.

The bracket |01 also provides for supporting the forward end of a shade slat in proper position to be shortened by a saw operating in the above described saw guide. This support comprises an upstanding lug which is mounted on the leg |32 of the bracket |01 and cooperates with the leg |32 to provide a slat receiving slot or opening |66. The lug |05 is so positioned on the leg |32 that the slot |66 is positioned in substantial alinement with and in substantially the same horizontal plane as the sockets or seats 88 and 89 provided on the slide bracket 40. Durlng the sawing of the slat the bracket |01 is locked in the position shown in Fig. 4 by the plunger |40 cooperating with the notch |4|.

An improved means is also provided for withdrawing the pin from the cut-off portion of the shade pole and re-setting the pin within the end of the shortened pole. This means comprises a pin gripping collet which is slidably received within a bearing |1| provided on the forwardly extending portion |4 of the main frame I0. As best shown in Fig. 8, the collet |10 comprises an outer cylindrical tube or member |12 having a tapered bore at one end within which are mounted a plurality of clamping or gripping fingers |13. A rod |14 extends longitudinally of the member |12 and provides for drawing the lingers |13 against the tapered portion of the tube to eiect clamping action of the fingers under operation of a wing nut |15 threadedly mounted on the outer end of the rod |12. The fingers |13 are adapted to grip and clamp the outwardly extending portion of a pin |16 provided in the end of a shade pole |26, and to effect withdrawal of the pin from the cut-off end of the shade pole upon movement of the collet |10 to the right and resetting of the pin within the end of the shortened pole upon move ment of the collet to the left.

In accordance with the present invention, the collet |10 is moved within the bearing |1| to cause withdrawal and resetting of the pin |16 by means o1 a simple lever |18 having forked arms |19 and |80 and an operating handle |8|. The arms |19 and |80 of the lever |18 are pivotally connected to an enlarged portion |82 of the collet tube |12 by means of a bolt |83 and are pivotally connected at their ends to a link |84 by means of a bolt |85. The link |84 is pivotally connected at |86 to a pair of outwardly extending arms or projections |81 provided on the frame member |09 which supports the piv- 1 oted bracket |01. The pivotally mounted link |84 provides a fulcruln for the forked lever |18 and at the same time permits the pivot |83 of the lever to move in a straight line so as to readily slide the collet |10 within the bearing |1| upon operation of the lever handle |8l. A simple and yet effective means is thus provided for moving the collet within its bearing to effect the pin withdrawing and resetting operation.

After the pin |16 is withdrawn the end cap |11 can be removed from the sawed oil portion of the pole and applied to the end of the shortened pole.

A means is also provided for supporting and centering one end of a shade pole |26 with respect to the collet |10. As best shown in Fig. 8, a plate |90 provided with an arcuate notch |9| for receiving one end of a shade pole is mounted on the machine adjacent the inner end of the bearing |1| and is supported by means of a pair of rods or plungers |92 which are slidably received within suitable bearing openings provided in the frame member |09 and bracket member |42. The plate |90 is so positioned that when an end of a shade pole rests within the arcuate notch |9| of the plate, the shade pole will be properly centered with respect to the collet |10 and the gripping fingers |13 thereof. A cotter pin |93 extending through one of the rods |92 normally prevents withdrawal of the rods from I their bearing support. A spring |94 also surrounds one of the rods |92 between the frame members |09 and |42 and cooperates with the pin |93 to resiliently urge the plate |90 to a spaced position with respect to the inner end of the bearing |1|. When a shade pole with a shade mounted thereon, however, is supported in the arcuate notch of the plate, the plate can be moved inwardly on its slidable support to position the plate outwardly of the end of the shade material.

In the operation of the machine, the slide bracket 40 is adjusted on the V-shaped slide 4| by loosening and tightening the turn nut 68 to measure the desired length of shade to be cut as determined by the scale |00 and the appropriate cooperating index carried by the slide bracket. The slat is then removed from the shade and the shade inserted in the machine with the pin end of the pole received within the chuck 25 and the spring end of the pole supported in the socket 11 on the slide bracket. The shade is then clamped to the chuck by turning the thumb screw 29.

To cut the shade material, the shade is rotated by turning the large beveled gear 36 and simultaneously therewith the handle |50 on bracket |01 is depressed to release the catch and the bracket is swung in a clockwise direction, Figs. 4 and 5, by means of the handle |50 to bring the knife blade |05 into cutting relation with the shade material. After the shade material has been completely trimmed the bracket |01 is returned by handle |50 to its position of Fig. 4 wherein it is locked by the plungers |40 and notch |4|. The end of the shade pole is then cut off by a suitable saw, preferably provided with the machine, operating in the saw guide provided by the bracket |01. During the sawing of the pole the shade is maintained stationary by firmly gripping it with one hand in rear of the chuck 25.

The newly cut end of the shortened pole is next chamiered, if desired, to facilitate the reapplication of the pole end cap thereon. This is eiiected by rotating the shade, depressing the handle |50 of bracket |01 to again release the bracket latch, and swinging the bracket in a counterclockwise direction by means of the handle |50 to bring the chamfering teeth |60 into operative position with respect to the end of the pole as indicated in Fig. 6. After the chamfering operation, the bracket |01 is returned by handle |50 to its locked position of Fig. 4.

The pin in the end of the sawed oli portion of the pole is now withdrawn by placing the pin end of this pole portion in the notch |9| of the supporting plate with the outstanding head of the pin received within the inner end of the collet |10. The wing nut |15 is tightened to grip the pin within the fingers |13 of the collet, and the handle |8| of lever |18 is moved towards the right, as seen in the figures, to slide the collet outwardly within the bearing |1| and pull the pin |16 out of the end of the pole. The end cap |11 can now be removed from the cut-off pole portion and applied to the chamfered end of the shortened pole.

With the lever |18 remaining in the last mentioned position and the pin |16 still gripped within the ngers of the collet, the shortened shade is removed from the chuck 25 and is dropped to a lower position in which the sawed oli end rests within the notch |9I of the pole supporting plate |90 and the spring end is received within the V-shaped notch 96 provided in the lower portion of the slide bracket 40. The slidable support for the plate |90 permits the plate to be adjusted to support the pole outwardly of the end of the shade material mounted on the pole as above described. The handle |8I of lever |18 is now moved towards the left, as seen in the drawings, to cause the collet |10 to move towards the end of the shade pole and reset the pin |16 in the end thereof, it being understood that the end cap |11 has rst been applied to the pole as above described. During the resetting operation the bracket 40 takes the thrust on the end of the shade pole. It will be noted that the collet |10, the pole supporting plate |90 and the notch 96 of bracket 4|] are all positioned substantially directly below the axis of the chuck 25 so as to facilitate the lowering and positioning of the shortened pole for the pin resetting operation. After the pin |16 has been completely reset, the gripping fingers of the collet are released by perating the wing nut |15, and the shortened shade with the end cap and end pin reapplied thereon is removed from the machine.

The shade slat is next cut to proper length by placing one end thereof in one of the sockets or seats 88 and 89 provided on the slide bracket 40 and supporting the opposite end within the notch |66 provided by the lug |65 on bracket |01. The proper length of the slat is determined by placing the end of the slat against the gauge pin 90 of the socket 83 or against the rear wall of the socket 89. The outer socket or seat 8B is used when sawing slats for shades mounted on a roller, while the inner socket or seat 89 is used for cutting the slat of an unmounted shade. The gauge pin 90 is adjustably mounted in the socket 88, as above described, to provide for adjusting the length of the slats ior the mounted shades. After the slat has been properly supported in its sockets or seats it is sawed off in the same manner as when sawing the shade pole.

if it is desired to trim an unmounted shade, one end of the rolled shade is mounted against the rotatably mounted ange 8| carried by the slide bracket 4D with the conical portion 82 of the ange extending into and supporting the end of the shade, and the other end of the shade is received within the rotatable head or chuck 25. A suitable tapered wooden dowel is inserted within the portion of the shade extending through the chuck 25 and the chuck is tightened against the shade and dowel by turning the thumb screw 29. The shade is then trimmed in the manner hereinabove described for trimming mounted shades.

A simple, relatively inexpensive and light weight machine is thus provided for performing all the operations necessary to adjust the length of a shade to a desired width of window, and the machine involves new and improved features of construction. arrangement of parts and opera,- tion.

Changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit of the invention or sacrificing any of its advantages, and the right is hereby reserved to make all such changes as fairly fall within the scope of the following claims.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

i. A shade cutting machine of the character described comprising a relatively light weight base member, a substantially open and light weight. frame member extending substantially vertically upwardly from said base member, a pair of upstanding arms on said frame for rotatably snpporting a shade rotating chuck and gear means [or rotating said chuck, a forwardly extending arm en the frame for rigidly supporting a collet bearing, said collet bearing being positioned substantially directly below the axis oi said chuck, a collet slidably mounted in said bearing, an arm extending laterally of said collet bearing, a bracket pivotally mounted on said laterally extending arm, a shade trimming knife carried by said bracket at one side of the axis of saidl chuck, and a shade pole chamfering means carried by said bracket at the opposite side of the chuck axis.

2. A shade cutting machine of the character described comprising a relatively light Weight base member, a substantially open and light weight frame member extending substantially vertically upwardly from said base member, a pair of upstanding arms on said frame for rotatably supporting a shade rotating chuck and gear means for rotating said chuck, a forwardly extending arm on the frame for rigidly supportingr a collet bearing, said collet bearing being positioned substantially directly below the axis of said chuck, a collet slidably mounted in said bearing, an arm extending laterally of said collet bearing, a bracket pivotally mounted on said laterally extending arm, a shade trimming knife carried by said bracket at one lside of the axis of said chuck, a shade pole chamfering means carried by said bracket at the opposite side of the chuck axis` a link pivot-ally connected to said laterally extending arm, and a lever positioned forwardly of said forwardly extending arm and pivotally connected to said link and said collet for effecting movement of the collet in said bearing.

3. A shade cutting machine of the character described comprising a relatively light weight base member, a substantially open and light weight frame member extending substantially vertically upwardly from said base member, a pair of upstanding arms on said frame for rotatably supporting a shade rotating chuck and gear means for rotating said chuck, a third arm on the frame, a bracket pivotally carried by said third arm of the frame, means on said bracket for trimming shade material, a pair of spaced upstanding arms on said bracket forming a saw guide, and means on one of said last named arms for charnfering the end of a shade pole.

4. In a shade cutter of the character described, a frame. a bracket pivotally mounted on said frame for movement in two directions from an intermediate position, a saw guide mounted on said bracket for operation at said intermediate position, a shade trimming knife carried by said bracket and operable upon pivotal movement of the bracket in one of said directions, a shade pole chamfering means carried by said bracket and operable upon pivotal movement of the bracket in the opposite direction, a handle on said bracket for moving the bracket to diiTerent positions. latch means for locking said bracket in said intermediate position. and means operated by said handle for releasing said latch means to permit pivotal movement of said bracket in either of said directions.

5. In a shade cutter of the character described, a frame. an arm extending laterally of said frame, a bracket pivotally mounted on said arm for movement in two directions from an intermediate position, a plurality of shade shortening devices mounted on said bracket and respectively operable at said intermediate position and upon pivotal movement of the bracket in each of said directions, a handle for moving said bracket to different positions pivotally mounted on said bracket, latch means including a slidably mounted plunger cooperating with a detent means in said arm for locking said bracket in said intermediate position, means on said handle for effecting movement of said plunger to release said latch means upon pivotal movement of said handle, spring means normally urging said plunger towards latching position, and a surface on said arm providing a guide track for said plunger.

6. In a shade cutter of the character described, a frame, a bracket pivotally mounted on said frame, a cutter for shade material supported on said bracket, a pair of upstanding members on said bracket providing a saw guide for cutting a shade pole, and a plurality of teeth mounted on one of said upstanding saw guide members for chamfering the end of a cut pole.

7. A shade cutting machine of the character described comprising a relatively light weight base member, a substantially open and light weight frame member extending substantially vertically upwardly from said base member, a pair of upstanding arms on said frame for rotatably supporting a shade rotating chuck and gear means for rotating said chuck, a forwardly extending arm on the frame for rigidly supporting a collet bearing, said collet bearing being positioned substantially directly below the axis of said chuck, a collet slidably mounted in said bearing, an arm extending laterally of said collet bearing, a bracket pivotally mounted on said laterally extending arm, a shade trimming knife carried by said bracket at one side of the axis of said chuck, a shade pole chamfering means carried by said bracket at the opposite side of the chuck axis, an elongated V-shaped slide detachably connected to said base and frame members, a measuring scale arranged along one of the surfaces of said slide, a bracket slidably mounted on said slide for` rotatably supporting one end of a shade, and index means carried by said bracket and cooperating with said measuring scale.

8. A shade cutter of the character described comprising a frame, a rotatable chuck n said frame, a saw guide and a shade trimming knife mounted on said framey a slide extending from said frame, a bracket member slidably mounted on said slide for supporting one end of a shade in desired measured position with respect to said saw guide and shade trimming knife, a slat holding member positioned adjacent said saw guide, and slat receiving socket means carried by said slidable bracket and having an end wall properly to position a shade slat for cutting through said saw guide at a length properly proportioned to the measurement of said shade.

9. A shade cutter of the character described comprising a frame, a rotatable chuck in said frame, a saw guide and a shade trimming knife mounted on said frame, a slide extending from said frame, a bracket member slidably mounted on said slide for supporting one end of a shade,

Whether mounted or unmounted, in measured position with respect to said saw guide and shade trimming knife, a slat holding member positioned adjacent said saw guide, and a plurality of slat receiving socket means carried by said slidable bracket and each having an end wall arranged to position a slat for cutting through said saw guide at a length corresponding to the said measured position.

l0. A shade cutter of the character described comprising a frame, a shade chuck rotatably mounted in said frame, a bracket arm pivotally mounted on said frame for movement in a plane transverse to the axis of said chuck, a circular cutter blade on said arm for trimming shade material, said bracket arm being movable about its pivot to effect a trimming operation, a notched guard member xedly carried by said arm and overlying one side of said blade, a segmental plate member on the other side of said blade and extending radially outwardly beyond the edge of the blade for normally covering the blade edge at said notch, said segmental plate member being mounted for rotation about the axis of said circular cutting blade, and means operated by movement of said arm towards and away from a trimming operation for rotating said segmental plate member about said blade axis to uncover and cover the blade edge at said notch.

11. In a shade cutter of the character described, an elongated slide, a bracket slidably mounted on said slide, shaft means on said bracket, socket means in an end of said shaft means for rotatably receiving one end of a shade pole, and means including an outstanding flange rotatably mounted on said shaft means for supporting one end of an unmounted shade.

12. In a shade cutter of the character described, a frame, collet means slidably mounted in said frame for withdrawing and resetting a shade pin with respect to the end of a shade pole, and a guide plate member slidably mounted on said frame adjacent said collet means for receiving ends of shade poles and centering said ends with respect to said collet means and a pin to be reset therein.

13. In a shade cutter of the character described, a frame, a collet bearing mounted in said frame, collet means slidably mounted in said bearing for withdrawing and resetting a shade pin with respect to the end of a shade pole, a notched member arranged adjacent one end of said collet bearing, said notched member providing for supporting an end of a shade pole and centering said end with respect to said bearing and said collet means, and means for supporting said notched member on said frame for resilient sliding movement towards and away from said end of the collet bearing.

ALBERT K. GAST. 

